(BSS) - The Department of Environment (DoE), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has taken a firm stance against environmental pollution and conducted a total of 1,262 mobile court drives across the country from January 2 to July 24, 2025.

The drives targeted air, noise, water, and solid waste pollution, illegal use of banned polythene, hazardous lead and battery recycling, wetland encroachment, unauthorized brick kilns, and tire pyrolysis factories, said a press release here today.

During this period, a total of 3,063 cases were filed, resulting in the collection of Taka 257,595,800 in fines. A total of 484 illegal brick kiln chimneys were demolished, leading to complete shutdowns, while 216 more were issued strict closure directives. Additionally, raw bricks from 133 kilns were destroyed.

Sixteen illegal polythene factories had their utility services disconnected and were sealed. Utility services (electricity/gas) to 98 polluting establishments were cut off. Two individuals received one-month imprisonment without labor, and equipment for smelting lead/batteries—amounting to eight truckloads—were seized from six factories and the establishments were shut down.

Since November 3, 2024, the DoE has conducted 496 mobile court drives against banned polythene, filing 929 cases and collecting Taka 6,879,100 in fines. A total of 251.54 kg of banned polythene was seized, and 16 more factories were sealed and disconnected from utility services.

Today the DoE conducted a mobile court in the Kuril Bishwa Road area of Dhaka against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. Four cases were filed, resulting in fines totaling Taka 15,000, and several drivers were issued warnings.

Under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, five mobile court drives were conducted in Dhaka, Jashore, Rajbari, and Khulna, filing 19 cases and imposing fines amounting to Taka 26,500. Twenty-seven hydraulic horns were confiscated.

In Mymensingh, a mobile court imposed Taka 100,000 fine for violating the Air Pollution Control Rules, 2022.

On the same day, a mobile court in Narayanganj fined Taka 5,000 for producing, selling, and distributing banned polythene and seized 9 kg of polythene. Super shop owners, retailers, and the general public were issued awareness messages about the legal ban on polythene.